I’ve been known to play a bit with the less popular factions. I love the underdog. To this end, for about a quarter of 2013 I was playing the Pigmen of the Iron Kingdoms, the Farrow Thornfall Alliance. I had specifically avoided collecting the Blindwater Congregation (Gatormen) side of the faction because it was generally deemed the more competitive half, especially after Rask had been released. Now, for whatever reason, I’ve got my competitive juices flowing and I’m ready to get back to my winning ways and pulling no punches so here come the Gators.
What? Oh. No, not THAT Rask…
The first thing I needed to do was to get a decent 50 point list as a foundation and try to develop it further from there. After some play testing I settled on the following list:
Rask
Blackhide Wrastler
Ironback Spitter x 2
Gatorman Posse x 3
Feralgeist
Gatorman Witch Doctor
Rask is a no-brainer. He brings something to the Blindwater Congregation that no other Warlock does: armour cracking. With the spell, Fury, he can make Gatorman Posse members PS:16, up the lowly Ironbacks to PS:18 and increase the hitting power of the fearsome Blackhides to PS:20. Add to this his Trident Cannon for upkeep removal or a defense fixer and he’s got it all!
Ah yes, THAT Rask.
The Blackhide Wrastler is in the list to do the really heavy lifting and for power attack throwing shenanigans.
The two Ironback Spitters are in for a ranged threat to squishier Warlocks/Warcasters and also to help clear some charge lanes for the Posses. They’ve really shone in the games I’ve used them and do not for a second regret taking them.
Raphael and Leonardo will settle their differences later…
The three Posses do the most work jamming into zones and tanking at Arm:18 in melee and hitting super hard as mentioned above. Originally I tried the list with only 2 Posse units but I found them to be so good I upped them to 3 units.
The Feralgeist is just a point filler but can be put to good use contesting zones against magic weak armies and can also make for a great Ironback target to get the most out of an AOE without even hurting the little Incorporeal guy!
The Witch Doctor is in to help against things that affect living targets like Ashen Veil, Anatomical Precision and to grant a Posse the Tough advantage. In the late game he can really surprise someone by sneaking in close and doing a Sacrificial Strike special action on a weakened Warlock/Caster. He’s won me more than one game in this fashion.
It should be noted that Rask can be extremely survivable with a unit of Bog Trogs near him as he has the special rule Call to Sacrifice (Bog Trog). While it’s tempting, I decided that keeping them out for full Posses and respectable support would be better for my play style. So sadly, no fishmen.
Sorry. No Fishmen in this list.
I hope to start working on my Maelok or Barnabas lists soon and fully intend to get the Minion faction to be a force to be reckoned with at my local gaming store. With some luck and a lot of patience, it may be the Year of the Alligator!
Can the Gators rise to the challenge and become the World Heavyweight Champions of the Iron Kingdoms?
Also, because I’m way past my deadline for this article and have kept on painting instead of finishing this article, here’s some bonus pics of Maelok!
Keep checking in on Hobby Hysteria for an upcoming video article from me on speed painting 101 where I plan on painting a Bull Snapper on camera from start to finish!
Until then, keep painting even if it’s 3 Carniveans. Remember, it’s just paint… It works for you!
– Masterseck
Great article and especially love the pics of your models. I like how you have rationalised every piece in your army, and gives me a good idea to work through the same sort of thing in how I put my lists together. Thanks!